Arthurian Legend Books

Book four in the "Time Soldiers" series originally created by Robert Gould, Arthur is a truly fantastic picturebook about a group of children called upon to serve the greater good through different amazing eras. Previous storybooks transported them to ages of dinosaurs and pirates; Arthur brings them to the time of Arthur's destiny, and they most dodge villains and even face a greedy, fearsome dragon to keep the wondrous events of history and mythology in balance. Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Time Soldiers series in general and Arthur in particular is its absolutely stunning visuals - illustrated with full-color photographs, some mundane, some capturing magical beings all with a passion that leaps off the very page and impresses the simple story into one's heart. Highly recommended.

This is one of the very few places that it's even possible to find information about the Arthurian and Grail traditions as they were known in the Spanish Peninsula. Entwistle discusses the Spanish and Portuguese variants of the Grail history and quest, Merlin, and Lancelot, examining the texts and detailing how the stories of the Round Table came to be in the Spanish Peninsula. His comments are insightful and thoroughly documented. This is a fine presentation of an area of Arthurian studies that many people don't seem to know exists let alone have any direct knowledge of the topic. This work is a true gem and should be a part of any serious collection of works on the subject of King Arthur.

I loved this book! I had to do a reaserach project on Arthurain legends and this bookr really satisfied my need for knowlege. i leaned of many differnt arthurain legends in detail. it was a great book to read

This is an absolutely wonderful collection and overview of legends from the Arthurian tradition. Barber's comments are insightful, and the plates are spectacular and very well chosen. This book is definitely worth every penny.

Useful for research but also for fans of Arthurian legend, film and literature! Kay usually gets a bad rap as being rude but his character is much more complex in many traditions, Gowans shows.

Research into the mythology and facts of Arthurian and Celtic times lends to this reference, which explores the era of the Celtic Golden Age, offering a blend of historical fact and legend in an easy A-Z reference of peoples, events, and lore. Black and white illustrations and a centerfold of color accent a book centered on facts, not author opinions: the pairing of Celtic and Arthurian history makes for an excellent reference for any period scholar; particularly at the high school to college grade levels.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Susan Cooper has yet to equal "The Dark is Rising," the second book of her classic Dark is Rising Sequence. Too bad the movie adaptation looks like a hollow "Harry Potter" ripoff.

That whole attitude betrays the beauty and spirit of her second "Dark is Rising Sequence" novel, which is independent of her the first book "Over Sea Under Stone." This book is deeper, darker, more dreamlike, more intense, and with an unlikely hero -- a stunning battle between good and evil.

Will Stanton is an ordinary boy, until his Midwinter eleventh birthday. On that day, he ventures out into a seemingly changed world, encounters a sinister Dark Rider, then a beautiful white horse that leads him to a hidden place. There he encounters the Old Ones -- the mysterious Lady and Merriman Lyon, who are immortal, powerful, wise, and the guardians of the world. And it turns out Will is one too.

And as an astonishingly cold winter settles over England, Will is taught some of the ways of the Old Ones, who fight the Dark (forces of evil, like the Dark Rider). He has one of the signs of power, but must get them all: Iron, Bronze, Stone, Wood, Fire and Water. And he must contend with the Dark Rider, his own failings, and a mysterious stranger whose future is inextricably entwined with his...

To put it simply, this is Susan Cooper at her peak -- she creates an amazing look at a world where where the mysterious and magical exist just a few feet from our homes and. The slighest actions have significance, time is easily manipulated, and there's a sprinkling of Welsh myth and Arthurian legend here and there -- particularly at the end.

Since her first book, Cooper also became a truly brilliant writer -- in "Over Sea Under Stone," her writing was rather spare, and reeked of E. Nesbit. Here, she more than makes up for it -- while the story is a straightforward quest, she complicates matters with a subplot about Merriman being forced to make a terrible sacrifice, and the Dark threatening Will's family. Sometimes being on the good guys' side isn't easy.

The book is also thick with atmosphere -- the shocking, icy presence of the Dark, the bustling farmhouse, the eerie woods where the Walker goes, and countless other situations. Cooper does sometimes get too detailed (I really don't care how you feed chickens) but her intricate writing is what brings the book to life: the howling blizzards, rings of black birds, the tainted merriness of a Christmas party, and a book of ancient magic that can't be read -- only experienced.

Will himself is an astonishingly three-dimensional character: at times he's a smart, quiet eleven-year-old, and sometimes he's an Old One with immense power and wisdom. This transition is not one that is handled lightly, as he gradually loses his innocent, boyish outlook. The person who guides him is Merriman Lyon, a majestic old man who has made some terrible choices in the past.

"The Dark is Rising" is a spellbinding classic fantasy, which fully reveals the good vs. evil battle that Cooper only hinted at before. Entrancing, intoxicatingly written, and always magical.

Excalibur is a wonderful book, a real treat for the eyes. The story is a straight-forward, easily understood retelling of the story of how King Arthur came to possess the sword Excalibur. What makes this book unique are the illustrations. Rich, deep, vibrant colors draw the viewer into a world where fantasy and reality are intertwined. This is the world of Arthur as I have always imagined it to be: mysterious places, beautiful people, uniquely detailed settings and creatures. A wonderful book to share with a child.

This book is highly recommended for its telling of a famous story. It has a quietness and gentleness about it that I did not expect. I would read this story to my class when they are learning about the middle ages and during the Christmas holidays.

This book provides excellent depth of analysis and original scholarship. I was particularly impressed with Marino's discussion of controversies surrounding the origins of the Grail. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to expand his or her knowledge of the Grail Texts.